Nola Grace LeAir's Obituary
Nola Grace (Hutchison) LeAir
And, just at the moment when someone says, “There, she is gone,” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “Here she comes!”
Receiving the tender loving care of her daughters, Janet and Jackie, and grandson, Joel LeAir, Nola departed November 19, 2015; 97 years, 90 days, and 1 hour after her birth. Born August 21, 1918 in Lovilla, Iowa, she was the daughter of Amos and Ethel (Robbins) Hutchison. Nola spent her tender years helping her mother with her younger siblings, and helping other families with their children and ailing parents. She was a true care giver. When she was 18, she met Evan Merle LeAir, who always claimed that he married the “prettiest girl in town.” They married on December 4, 1935. In 1943, Evan moved his family to Racine, WI, where he found employment with Massey Harris. Nola was a homemaker, often taking in children that didn’t have a family. She went on to get a degree in nursing, doing what she really loved doing, and that was taking care of people. If other nurses had problems with patients, you could hear “Go get Nola.” Sundays were family days, and something was always planned for the family on that day. With most of their children out on their own, in 1963, Evan moved his family to California, where he worked in the oil fields and she in the hospital.
On April 6, 1982, Evan passed away, and she spent many years taking care of other children. In 2004, she moved to Racine, to live with her daughter, Janet (Paul) Czuper, where she was active in the Belle City Bellas (a Red Hat Society chapter). She really loved to do crossword puzzles, Sudoku, read, scrapbook, and take pictures, but her true love was traveling—and a great traveler she was. It was nothing for her to jump into a car and drive across country on a whim. Because family was so important to her, she would have many family reunions always held in Iowa. People would come from everywhere to attend. Her daughter organized a 95th birthday party for her with over 100 of her family and friends coming in from all across the states to attend.
Nola is survived by daughters: Jean (Louie) Grill of Santa Rosa, CA, June (Jim) Cafmeyer of Rialto, CA, Janet (Paul) Czuper of Racine, WI, Jackie (Jim) Johnson of Sequin, TX, Joy (Jack) Brandes of Big Bear, CA; sons: Jim (Linda) LeAir of Ashland, WI and Jerry LeAir of Paso Robles, CA, Jim (Connie) LeAir of Puyallup, WA; grandchildren: Tom Warren, Elizabeth Warren, Jaci Christman of Santa Rosa, CA, Jeffery Garetto, John LeAir, Scott Grill, of Des Moines, IA, Jay Cafmeyer of Rialto, CA, Joanne Cafmeyer of Las Vegas, NV, Joel LeAir of Racine, WI, Paul Czuper of Ripon, WI, Vicki Kulvki of Owatonna, MN, Dana Johnson of Racine, WI, Jennifer Alcorta of New Braunfels, TX, Bambi Schuur of Kenosha, WI, Brenda Stroud of Racine, WI, Julie, Shannon, Johnny of CA, Cassidy LeAir of Paso Robles, Evan LeAir of CA; 79 great-grandchildren, and 18 great-great grandchildren. Nola is also survived by her sisters: Betty (Dick) Hill and Clara (Max) Bogle of DesMoines, IA, brother, Robert Hutchison of Hartford, IA, and other relatives. Nola was preceded in death by her brothers: Noal, Francis, Paul, and Jack Hutchison, sister, Elnora; grandson Michael LeAir, and her son, Evan LeAir, Jr., who passed away February 14, 2014. She was never told of his death, but of all of the children, he was the one you would find her talking to.
Nola was on Hospice for the last 2 years, and the Wheaton Franciscan Hospice team helped with her care. The family would like to thank Emily, April, Belinda, Jill, Kathleen, Ann, Kelly, and Lauren for their dedication and support. They were truly amazing. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family are suggested.
Funeral services will be held at Wilson Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 with Pastor Paul Rhoads of Harbor Rock Tabernacle officiating along with son-in-law Jimmy Johnson. Relatives and friends may attend a visitation at the funeral home on Monday, November 23 from 5:00- 7:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, November 24 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment with be at West Lawn Memorial Park.
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